Mower County commissioners heard from a delegation of Local Advisory Committee members on the Mower County mental health system Tuesday.

Mental health consumers began by describing the abundance of mental health providers in the community, including The Bridge, Austin Manor, various boards and lodges, service providers for children and case managers.

When the negatives were examined, consumer Scott Baudler began with a candid description of how long it takes to get admitted to the stress center at Austin Medical Center.

“I’ve had to go to the AMC emergency room to be admitted to the stress center and sometimes it’s as long as a four-hour wait,” Baudler told the commissioners. “That’s a long time for someone to be kept waiting in a room just to get help.”

“I think this is something that needs to be addressed,” he said.

The consumer also said he is concerned that other consumers in different parts of Mower County have access to mental health services. “We have a lot of services to offer, but I don’t know if they are being adequately utilized.”

Another consumer, Bruce Nemitz, said; “We have good services if only people will utilize them.”

Nemitz said there was a transportation system, The Bridge drop-in center and various job opportunities in Austin for mental health consumers.

“I think it’s important that we keep these services open,” he said.

Dick Lang, Fourth District county commissioner, thanked the LAC delegation for their input.

Lang owns and operates a board and care facility for mental health consumers in the former Ace Hotel.

He recommended that Gary Corcoran, a service provider, be invited to take on a greater role as an advocate in examining the county’s mental health service delivery system.

Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen said her office does mental health commitments for the County. She also deplored the lack of immediacy in delivering those services to all clients.

Other weaknesses pointed out by the LAC delegation included the lack of awareness of consumers new to the mental health system about the availability of the services.

Also, the lack of available psychiatrists and bilingual providers was called another source of concern.

Baudler said a so-called “crisis bed” for consumers who do not meet hospital requirements is another inadequacy.

Such a crisis bed service would, of course, require adequate supervision.

Craig Oscarson, county coordinator, said the LAC delegation should contact the DHS for advice on how a crisis bed could be made available.

Lang said such an idea is a “money” issue. “It’s all about money, money, money today,” Lang said, referring to how such a service would require funding.

The county coordinator told the commissioners he and finance director Donna Welsh are keeping a vigil on the possibility the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center project could qualify for federal economic stimulus package monies.

According to Oscarson, that includes energy credits, but is not limited to that sole source of stimulus assistance.

“We want to apply to the state or federal government for whatever funding the project could qualify for,” Oscarson told the commissioners.

He admitted, “It’s unknown at this time what, if any, part of the jail and justice center project would qualify.”

Oscarson asked the commissioners for the authority to hire a consultant to guide county staff in making an application for economic stimulus package assistance.

“We want to be ready to act immediately when the time comes,” he said.

The request was approved unanimously.